Carlos Betancur discussion thread

[Netserk]

Over 2000 replies in this thread. Some names come up: but let's be real: Betancur is no Schleck or even Botero. 2000 replies! For this guy? when Pinot is slightly above and Majka is silghlty below 800, when Bardet in the 200's? Really?

It seems to me that some here are fascinated by the story of a champion's career spinning out of control. Like slowing down to watch a car wreck...like John Daly in Golf, super-talented but self destructing...except that Daly won majors and Betancur didn't win much at all.

Leave him alone. Only he can make the choice, and be relevant. Right now, he's not.

This thread is so unreal...

I don't get people coming to bash the thread of a cyclist they don't care about.And you are suppose to be a mod
I think you should control a bit your words as you are not the deciding factor here on which subjects the forum members should engage.

He's posting his opinion about the thread and those who post in it. Big deal. He's a poster too, and posts similar to his are often posted here (in multiple threads). By mods and non-mods. Is he closing the thread? No. Is he dictating anything? No.

If you think he is wrong, you too are free to argue that. And free not to. Wipe your eyes and remove the chip on your shoulder. Mods are posters too.

 

[Red Rick]

Some athletes get a cult following, even if they're not the most succesful riders, and more often than not it's because they're not average, but for other reasons.

 

[Irondan]

Over 2000 replies in this thread. Some names come up: but let's be real: Betancur is no Schleck or even Botero. 2000 replies! For this guy? when Pinot is slightly above and Majka is silghlty below 800, when Bardet in the 200's? Really?

It seems to me that some here are fascinated by the story of a champion's career spinning out of control. Like slowing down to watch a car wreck...like John Daly in Golf, super-talented but self destructing...except that Daly won majors and Betancur didn't win much at all.

Leave him alone. Only he can make the choice, and be relevant. Right now, he's not.

This thread is so unreal...

I don't get people coming to bash the thread of a cyclist they don't care about.And you are suppose to be a mod
I think you should control a bit your words as you are not the deciding factor here on which subjects the forum members should engage.

He's posting his opinion about the thread and those who post in it. Big deal. He's a poster too, and posts similar to his are often posted here (in multiple threads). By mods and non-mods. Is he closing the thread? No. Is he dictating anything? No.

If you think he is wrong, you too are free to argue that. And free not to. Wipe your eyes and remove the chip on your shoulder. Mods are posters too.

I couldn't have said that any better myself....

Cheers Netserk!

 

[BigMac]

Re: Re:

The word problem and this guy seem to go together. Sooner or later the team's patience will be exhausted.

How so much effort is still invested in him is beyond me. Any other rider, or any other person, in any other job, would have been shown the door a long time ago. Heck, they would't have been given another chance. This has gone past being pathetic to something else...

Jose Rujano, Ivan Quaranta, Santiago Botero, Andy Schleck...we could go on and one with names from the past who were given chance after chance to make good on their talent.

It's not even comparable. This guy doesn't even show up to race, how many times has he been MIA? He's been out of shape for multiple seasons now and not once has he had a real redeeming moment. It has been crystal clear to me for a long time that he is a lost cause. Andy Shleck was crap on his final years but at least he raced.

Why would people lick someone's arse while they take a dump?

 

[PeterB]

Over 2000 replies in this thread. Some names come up: but let's be real: Betancur is no Schleck or even Botero. 2000 replies! For this guy? when Pinot is slightly above and Majka is silghlty below 800, when Bardet in the 200's? Really?

It seems to me that some here are fascinated by the story of a champion's career spinning out of control. Like slowing down to watch a car wreck...like John Daly in Golf, super-talented but self destructing...except that Daly won majors and Betancur didn't win much at all.

Leave him alone. Only he can make the choice, and be relevant. Right now, he's not.

This thread is so unreal...

I don't get people coming to bash the thread of a cyclist they don't care about.And you are suppose to be a mod
I think you should control a bit your words as you are not the deciding factor here on which subjects the forum members should engage.

He's posting his opinion about the thread and those who post in it. Big deal. He's a poster too, and posts similar to his are often posted here (in multiple threads). By mods and non-mods. Is he closing the thread? No. Is he dictating anything? No.

If you think he is wrong, you too are free to argue that. And free not to. Wipe your eyes and remove the chip on your shoulder. Mods are posters too.

I couldn't have said that any better myself....

Cheers Netserk!

So you don't see how Tonton's comment may be perceived negatively by those who contributed to this thread? I haven't posted here anything if memory serves but even to my eyes that was like saying everyone who posted here are stupid for doing so. So don't be surprised if there's reaction like above and don't pretend it's not justified.

 

[Popchu]

Re: Re:

I will quote myself, because I knew everyone would cry here again...

He is scheduled to ride Dubai..

I thought I read yesterday that Unzue said he was coming to Europa in February. So I don't think he will line up at Dubai.

And he wasn't at the team presentation because of 'visa problems'.

Kwiatkowski was also scheduled to ride Mallorca, he didn't. Big deal! Of course you can't compare these situations but not every news about Betancur is necessarily bad. And it's not that he was completely useless last year. Two victories (way more than most of the members posting in this topic expected), good attack in the final of Liège, and unfortunately sick in the Giro.

But hey, maybe it's time for a joke about his weight.

 

[Irondan]

Over 2000 replies in this thread. Some names come up: but let's be real: Betancur is no Schleck or even Botero. 2000 replies! For this guy? when Pinot is slightly above and Majka is silghlty below 800, when Bardet in the 200's? Really?

It seems to me that some here are fascinated by the story of a champion's career spinning out of control. Like slowing down to watch a car wreck...like John Daly in Golf, super-talented but self destructing...except that Daly won majors and Betancur didn't win much at all.

Leave him alone. Only he can make the choice, and be relevant. Right now, he's not.

This thread is so unreal...

I don't get people coming to bash the thread of a cyclist they don't care about.And you are suppose to be a mod
I think you should control a bit your words as you are not the deciding factor here on which subjects the forum members should engage.

He's posting his opinion about the thread and those who post in it. Big deal. He's a poster too, and posts similar to his are often posted here (in multiple threads). By mods and non-mods. Is he closing the thread? No. Is he dictating anything? No.

If you think he is wrong, you too are free to argue that. And free not to. Wipe your eyes and remove the chip on your shoulder. Mods are posters too.

I couldn't have said that any better myself....

Cheers Netserk!

So you don't see how Tonton's comment may be perceived negatively by those who contributed to this thread? I haven't posted here anything if memory serves but even to my eyes that was like saying everyone who posted here are stupid for doing so. So don't be surprised if there's reaction like above and don't pretend it's not justified.

No, I don't see anything wrong with a moderator stating his opinion. I've read Tonton's past comments and know that he's partial to French cyclists, mainly because he's a Frenchman. He was simply pointing out the fact that there are French cyclists that are way more deserving of discussion or "posts" than a perceived washed up has-been that's Carlos Betancur. He never uttered the word "stupid", that's just hyperbole on your part. Moderators are volunteer members of the forum that do not have to give up their right to post an opinion, his actions are completely justified.

This isn't the place to discuss moderation issues. If anyone has a complaint about moderation please use the "moderators" thread.

 

[Escarabajo]

LOL. Now everyone is adding to the Betancur thread count!!!!

 

[movingtarget]

Re:

LOL. Now everyone is adding to the Betancur thread count!!!!

The Betancur thread is on fire ! Everyone is fanning the flames. That could be his career going up in smoke ..............

 

[Tonton]

I'll add one more post to the thread then.

I'm in no way against Betancur or his fans. I don't call anyone stupid. I would like nothing more than him fulfilling his potential.

But I'm stating the obvious here: he hasn't delivered, his work ethics are suspect at best, he's a major disappointment.

I didn't want to start a storm: and if you have ever read any of my posts, I don't disrespect anyone. And that's why I was contacted to mod in the forums. I'm also a poster. As such, I have the right to voice opinions, and if you disagree, by all means do so.

I could have listed many riders from many countries who are less talked about than Betancur: not just my Frenchies. For example, another Colombian, Jarlinson Pantano. What a fighter, what a class, I am a big fan of his. Yet, the attention is on Betancur. I would like to understand: why?

That's not insulting. That's adding something to the discussion. Deep inside, I have the feeling that maybe there's the fascination of watching a wreck, like a Johnny Manziel in the US/Football, John Daly in Golf a few years ago, or Ricco.

Do you feel that way? No? If so, why? I'm open minded.

PS: Netserk is like the WHITE album: the greatest and way underrated .

 

[jaylew]

You can't seriously be surprised or wondering why people want to discuss Betancur more than some of those other riders you mentioned.

 

[Guybrush]

Re:

You can't seriously be surprised or wondering why people want to discuss Betancur more than some of those other riders you mentioned.

i think it's because his potential, the guy got some impresive results without even trying

 

[hrotha]

It's because it's funny.

 

[Angliru]

Over 2000 replies in this thread. Some names come up: but let's be real: Betancur is no Schleck or even Botero. 2000 replies! For this guy? when Pinot is slightly above and Majka is silghlty below 800, when Bardet in the 200's? Really?

It seems to me that some here are fascinated by the story of a champion's career spinning out of control. Like slowing down to watch a car wreck...like John Daly in Golf, super-talented but self destructing...except that Daly won majors and Betancur didn't win much at all.

Leave him alone. Only he can make the choice, and be relevant. Right now, he's not.

This thread is so unreal...

Significant is the fact that many here like to see who can make the funniest joke about his bouts with his weight. A rather sick, juvenile pleasure I see that many take in belittling him about this issue. I'd say it makes up at least 20% of the posts in this thread.

Betancur is obviously a talented rider that hasn't achieved the results that are equal to his potential. Some riders do not adapt well to being out of their comfort zone for long periods of time, in his case that would be his home in Colombia. Movistar seems to be have a more patient and nurturing approach to their riders which in my opinion results in a higher level of loyalty. Betancur is fortunate to be where he is and I hope he overcomes his issues to deliver fully on his potential.

 

[Angliru]

Re: Re:

The word problem and this guy seem to go together. Sooner or later the team's patience will be exhausted.

How so much effort is still invested in him is beyond me. Any other rider, or any other person, in any other job, would have been shown the door a long time ago. Heck, they would't have been given another chance. This has gone past being pathetic to something else...

Jose Rujano, Ivan Quaranta, Santiago Botero, Andy Schleck...we could go on and one with names from the past who were given chance after chance to make good on their talent.

Cobo comes to mind first. He rode more races for Movistar, but with no motivation. I think Cobo and Betancur are quite alike and Unzue has no idea how to handle such a rider or he doesn't give a f... I don't know.

I think it is just the opposite IMO. Betancur would be back in Colombia if he weren't on Movistar. To place the blame completely at the foot of Unzue would be to ignore the history of literally no drama over the years coming from this team in terms of personality clashes, over blown egos and the like. They seem to be more of a family atmosphere than most teams in the pro peloton. Cobo and Betancur are unique examples of riders that have their own personal challenges that are beyond the realm of what a team's management can do to remedy. The rider themselves has to take primary responsibility and control in some cases. Management can only do so much.

 

[Angliru]

Re: Re:

The word problem and this guy seem to go together. Sooner or later the team's patience will be exhausted.

How so much effort is still invested in him is beyond me. Any other rider, or any other person, in any other job, would have been shown the door a long time ago. Heck, they would't have been given another chance. This has gone past being pathetic to something else...

Jose Rujano, Ivan Quaranta, Santiago Botero, Andy Schleck...we could go on and one with names from the past who were given chance after chance to make good on their talent.

It's not even comparable. This guy doesn't even show up to race, how many times has he been MIA? He's been out of shape for multiple seasons now and not once has he had a real redeeming moment. It has been crystal clear to me for a long time that he is a lost cause. Andy Shleck was crap on his final years but at least he raced.

Why would people lick someone's **** while they take a dump?

You're really taken even this beyond the extreme to the vulgar.

Often times athletes show a flash of what they are capable of and with that brief glimpse of their potential can attract a following of faithful supporters or on the other end of the spectrum, "accident gawkers". The latter moan and complain about the rider not living up to his vast talents all the while enjoying every moment of their tearing down and destruction of the same rider. Lapping up his every misstep and failure. The former keeps hoping he somehow pulls out of his seeming death spiral to even minimally have a more stable career.

 

[roniek]

Betancur will start in Strade Bianche - https://twitter.com/mundociclistico/status/832042004485906432

 

[staubsauger]

If Fatancur still got the frameset of a harbor seal, he might win by 15 minutes because ain't nobody realizes he attacks on the gravel roads.

Tbh I hope he gets his act together somehow. Better late than never.

 

[barmaher]

Fatancur? What age are you?

 

[jaylew]

Re:

Fatancur? What age are you?

In fairness, it's not like stausbsauger came up with that one. Just a search in this forum alone gives 74 hits.

 

[42x16ss]

Re:

Betancur will start in Strade Bianche - https://twitter.com/mundociclistico/status/832042004485906432

I'll believe it when he's on the start line

 

[jaylew]

Re: Re:

Betancur will start in Strade Bianche - https://twitter.com/mundociclistico/status/832042004485906432

I'll believe it when he's on the start line

This. How many times have we heard he's supposed to be at a race in the last few years only to have him be a no-show?

 

[movingtarget]

Re: Re:

Betancur will start in Strade Bianche - https://twitter.com/mundociclistico/status/832042004485906432

I'll believe it when he's on the start line

This. How many times have we heard he's supposed to be at a race in the last few years only to have him be a no-show?

Naah that's just fake news................Careful you might upset some really serious people !

 

[Valv.Piti]

Whats the odds on Betancur actually starting his season at Strade Bianche? And if he does, what are the chances he will abandon before the 100 kilometre mark?

 

[barmaher]

Re: Re:

Fatancur? What age are you?

In fairness, it's not like stausbsauger came up with that one. Just a search in this forum alone gives 74 hits.

I know, I was kind of hoping we had gotten over that joke.

I mean if you are going to be cruel, at least be original or funny.